When it comes to choosing where to live for a mid or long term stay, you’ll find two main options open on real estate sites like Property Guru when it comes to a condominium. The first is to buy it, which will connote long-term stay, or for an investing venture. The second is to rent it, which will provide you with a home to stay in for as long as you like and to vacate quickly when the time arises for you to leave. You only pay the outstanding rent, if applicable, before you move out.

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Real Estate Unit

Renting is not a problem, but buying a condo is not an easy process, as many factors have to be considered; the first and most important being the price offered by the owner. But even before buying one, you also need to search for the right one that is located in the right spot that suits your needs. You then have to read carefully and sign the sales contract on the purchase before you can officially move in. Buying a condo may be more attractive than buying an apartment or a home, but there are also downsides such as having to pay for property tax according to the Investopedia website here.

The Benefits of Purchasing a Real Estate Unit

Many advantages can accrue for those who decide to buy a small unit of real estate which offers similar amenities as a condo. One very prominent one is the ability to have desired privacy and at the same time to be able to socialize with tenants who have also decided to occupy a unit. It is the lifestyle that retirees who have opted to move away from their homes and have decided to buy a small unit of real estate. It’s there that they find the fulfillment to their lifestyle – privacy and socialization.

Getting Away from All the House Work and Costs

Another plus for owning a condo is the freedom from regular house chores and a reduction in maintenance costs as depicted here by Geoff Williams. In fact, buying a home entails all the tasks that are part and parcel of living in a home and the cost that went with it. During their younger days, there was the washing, the cooking, the maintenance, the gardening and the tedious floor polishing and shining. Now that they have retired, they can relish more of the freedom they crave so much.

The Location is usually of the Upper-End Quality

But condos do not only cater to the needs of retirees. They also fulfill the needs of professionals and experts who want to be placed as closely as possible to their workplace. Sometimes in highly developed areas of developed countries like Malaysia, it’s far more expensive to commute by private car from a modest home or apartment than to rent a high-end apartment or small unit of real estate. Some may think that this is not possible, but it is with a difference of considerable savings per month in favor of a rented condo.

The Scenery is Awesome

Condos and apartments can always be found where the location has been deliberately adapted to be directly in front of the best scenic views. It may only be a coincidence but there’s also room to speculate that the developers have deliberately taken into account the absence of beautiful countryside views and replaced it with scenic views of an urban landscape – river, tall buildings, parks and so on. A spectacular view tends to accompany even the dullness of an entirely urban environment and seeks to modify and beautify it.

Newly-weds can Find Total Fulfillment and Comfort

Again, small real estate units and apartments can be the perfect getaway for honeymooners during their week-long stay together immediately after their wedding. They can enjoy the privacy they so earnestly long for and also benefit from the company of other tenants who may also have just gotten married. As newly-weds, you can also have the opportunity of enjoying the view, the company, and the privacy that these beautiful small units of real estate can give you during your honeymoon.

The Best Destinations for Many Tourists

It’s a well-known fact that condominiums and apartments are sought after by tourists. These travelers range from the very high-end spenders to ordinary backpackers to elderly couples or groups that want to get away from everything they know and experience something new. The small real estate units are exceedingly affordable and can cater for the needs of all visitors whether young or old and most return home with lasting reminders of the time they spent in the small and cozy condo units in a different country.

Depending on your budget and requirements, a condo can make your life better or worse like any other type of property available in the market. You can consider the above points before making a decision.

Information on the RM27bil Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) is now available with just a click of the mouse.

The public can now secure the latest details via pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said the public could also email feedback, suggestions and complaints on PTMP via pgmasterplan@penang.gov.my.

“We will take into account all feedback. The website also has answers to frequently asked questions about the master plan.

“There are also details on the RM6.3bil undersea tunnel by Consortium Zenith BUCG and the Sky Cab project by MRCB Bhd,” he said after launching the website at Komtar yesterday.

The tunnel will connect mainland Bagan Ajam with Gurney Drive while Sky Cab is a cable car link between Penang Sentral in Butterworth and the future development of Jelutong landfill.

State exco member Chow Kon Yeow, who was present, hailed the Bayan Lepas LRT as the future backbone of public rail transport in the state.

Its proposed systems, alignment, project structure, implementation plan and all related activities were submitted to the Land Public Transport Commission for approval.

The proposed central station will be on the former Sia Boey (Penang Hokkien for ‘Town’s End’) wet market site beside Komtar at the Lebuh Carnarvon junction.

Of its 27 proposed stations, 19 are to be in Komtar, Macallum Street area, Bandar Sri Pinang, the future Sky Cab station, East Jelutong, The Light Waterfront, Gelugor, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Batu Uban, Pesta site, Sungai Nibong, Bukit Jambul, Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition (SPICE), Jalan Tengah, FIZ North, FIZ South, Sungai Tiram, Penang International Airport and Permatang Damar Laut.

Eight more stations are planned for the three proposed islands to be reclaimed off the southern coast.

The Bayan Lepas LRT will also have interchange stations connecting three more future LRT and monorail lines still on the drawing table.

They are the Gelugor-Butterworth LRT across the sea, the Paya Terubong-Komtar monorail and the Tanjung Tokong-Komtar monorail.

Chow said that upon implementation, the LRT was expected to contribute significantly to achieve the targeted 40% public transport usage-rate by 2030 in the region.

Among the other components of the PTMP are trams, e-bus, rapid bus transit, a pan- island expressway, a catamaran system and a RM100mil highway interchange upgrading project.

Three islands measuring 930ha, 566ha and 323ha are proposed to be created in the south to fund the PTMP.

The appointed Project Delivery Partner of the PTMP, SRS Consortium, has been actively engaging stakeholders on behalf of the state government.

Source: TheStar.com.my

The state government has submitted plans for the Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT) to the Land Public Transport Com-mission (SPAD) for approval.

State exco member Chow Kon Yeow said the application was submitted by state secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus on March 29.

The LRT between Komtar and Bayan Lepas is the first the state rail network proposed under the RM27bil Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

Calling it a historic moment in the implementation of PTMP, Chow said they were happy to reach the significant milestone.

“We have submitted it according to schedule,” he said before the launching of PTMP website at Komtar yesterday.

The 30km Bayan Lepas LRT starts from Komtar in the northeast corner of the island, passes through Jelutong, Gelugor, Bayan Lepas and Penang International Airport before ending at the proposed Penang South Reclamation development.

Expected to provide a fast route to the airport, it will traverse densely populated residential, commercial and industrial areas.

There are 27 LRT stations along the alignment, with the maintenance depot located on the first island to be reclaimed on the island’s south coast.

The alignment also factors in interchanges with future LRT and monorail lines planned, including one that will cross the channel to connect Gelugor with Penang Sentral in Butterworth.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who launched the website, said PTMP would help alleviate traffic congestion through a five-in-one mode – taxi, bus, water taxi/ferry, cable car and LRT/monorail.

“There is also a public transport network involving buses and a master plan for bicycle routes.

“This is a game changer for Penang, not only in terms of economic development and prosperity, but a chance to enhance Penang as a liveable city.”

Source: TheStar.com.my

Changing homes can be pretty stressful. You’ve got to take care of a lot of details, not the least should include looking for the right rental apartment. Here are easy steps you can follow to help you stay sane throughout the process:

Read About the Market

The Business Times says that in Singapore, renting is a more cost-effective option than buying. That’s because of home prices falling after the loan curbs were implemented. By knowing what’s happening, and updating yourself on what’s current in the real estate industry, you can make better decisions with your money. So if it’s not the best time to buy a property, then you can simply rent a property and bide your time until the market makes a turn for the better or when you’ve finally saved enough for the home you want.

Know Your Budget

HGTV suggests finding out how much your budget is before you start looking. Knowing how much you can actually afford to pay is going to influence your renting decisions in a major way. This way, you won’t have to waste time, effort and resources looking into properties that would later turn out to be well out of your price range anyway.

Put Together a Must-Have List

You’ve probably got property features you can’t live without. For instance, if you’re an artist, you might want bigger windows to let in more of the natural light. Or maybe an extra bedroom or two for when friends and family come over. Starting a family? Go for the two to three bedroom apartment instead of the studio. This will help you decide which properties really provide you with what you need.

Use the Right Tools to Search

With so many online property-listing sites like Property Guru, finding the right apartment for rent is easy. You can browse through as many choices as you need until you generate a list of all the properties that you think have the best potential to be your next home.

Know Your Rights as a Tenant

The best way you can protect your rights is to be familiar with every single one of them in the first place. When you know just what you’re entitled to, whether these are services or coverage, it’s easy to determine if your landlord is abiding by the rules of the contract or if you’ve already got grounds to file a complaint or sue.

Noisy Roommates or Neighbors

So you’ve found the apartment that’s perfect for you in every way, except for one teeny, tiny detail: you’ve got the worst sort of roommates or neighbors. From early morning revelries that disturb your sleep, to running in the halls and causing unacceptable amounts of noise, to roommates borrowing your shoes and eating all your food in the fridge without permission, roommates and neighbors can often push you to call it quits. Yes, there are a lot of things in life that you could pretty much get used to, including living and surviving the worst sort of roommates or neighbors that chance can conjure up. But why would you? Life’s too short to waste on such things. So before you move and spend that lease period in misery, check out the neighbors you’ll be sharing that space or building with, and choose your roommates wisely – or decide to live solo – before you give it a go.

Don’t Pay Double for Pets

Some landlords ask for an added deposit or rental fee for pets. However, know that you shouldn’t pay for both. It’s either you shell out money for the deposit or rent. Don’t forget to negotiate with your landlord regarding costs.

Tell Yourself You’re Buying a Home

If you’re going to spend the next few years in that rental property, then it makes sense to look for one with the mind-set that you’re buying it. You need to feel comfortable and right at home in that space, so it’s important to rent an apartment that’s right for you in terms of its location, size, and price, among other things.

Know How to Negotiate

Landlords can raise their rents any time. What you can do, though, to avoid a rent increase is to negotiate. You could go for a longer lease or prepay the rental fee months in advance. That’s going to go a long way to making a convincing case for your landlord not to raise the rent.

Deep Clean the Apartment

Before you move out, make sure to deep clean the apartment. Clear the grime, dirt and dust from every corner, floor tile or window. That gives you a solid shot at getting your deposit back.

Renting an apartment doesn’t have to send your blood pressure spiking. With these tips, finding a place you can rent and move into should be easy enough to do.

Venue: Gurney Plaza (Ground Floor, in front of Armani Exchange, old wing)
Date: 1-10 April 2016
Time: 10am-10pm

City of Dreams Penang, iconic landmark of Luxury Serviced Twin Towers, over 50 impressive world class facilities and amenities. Five Star Lifestyle for privilege Residence to enjoy the prestige services of chauffeured Rolls Royce (Limousine) or private yacht charter. Indulge yourself with concept of Sky Living of Sky Lounges, Sky Garden, Sky Terrace, Infinity Sky Pool, Library, Dining Room, Deck, Sky Wine Room, Sky Cigar Bar and exclusive Gallery.

World Class Facilities of fitness center, aqua gym, Jacuzzi corner, Olympic sized swimming pool, wading pool, golf putting green, state of the art lighted futsal court, basketball court, tennis court, Tai Chi Deck, children’s playground, sauna and steam room, massage and physiotherapy, elderly room, reflexology path way, landscape garden, giant chess board set, full equipped barbeque area, hair and facial salon, health food café, grand ballroom, pre-function gallery, virtual games room, private cinema, bowling alley, virtual golf simulator and karaoke room. Mentioned facilities are complimented with excellent amenities of butler service, housekeeping, and laundry service.

City of Dreams Penang are strategically located in Bandar Tanjung Pinang, one of the most prestigious and sought after location in Penang island, not forgetting the sparkling City of Dreams address. Close proximity to Gurney hotspot of Penang, surrounded by Shopping Centers, Medical Centers, Colleges, Schools. Infrastructure of Outer Ring Road and undersea tunnel, newly planned seafront public park Gurney Wharf.

Visit us to understand and witnessed one of the most valuable property investment with modern lifestyle.

Developer: Ewein Zenith , Exclusive Marketing by Zeon Properties (Premier Property Marketing Agency)

Website: www.cityofdreamspenang.com

Call Mr. Leon Lee for more info: +6012 443 8888